Part 2 of the 2015 Buffalo Bills’ season review deals with the team’s offense. While the unit wasn’t explosive by any means, they were competent. Rex Ryan, although he failed the team miserably overall, did a couple of things that helped. He hired Greg Roman to coordinate the offense, and he lobbied to get Tyrod Taylor signed as a free agent to compete for the starting quarterback job, which he won. For the most part, Roman’s unit did enough that should have made a playoff spot possible, if the defense hadn’t totally crumbled. Here’s a position-by-position look at the Bills’ offensive players:
Quarterbacks
In Taylor, the Bills have found themselves a quarterback capable of leading them into the future. Critics pointed out that he wasn’t a “franchise” QB because he didn’t lead any fourth quarter comebacks, but he has the capability of developing that skill if given the chance. He did everything the team asked of him – sustain drives, don’t turn the ball over, rely on your running game and defense to win the game. He did all of the above, and it wasn’t his fault that the defense didn’t hold up its’ end of the bargain. Some critics argued that the standards should be set higher for Taylor, since he is a four year veteran , not a rookie. But look at his final stats – 64% completion percentage, 20 touchdown passes, 6 interceptions (the lowest total in franchise history). In Jim Kelly’s first year, he completed 59% for 22 TDs and 17 interceptions, and he wasn’t a rookie either, having played in the USFL. Add in Taylor’s 500+ yards rushing for the season, and you have a signal caller who can clearly lead your team. The problem is the backup QB spot. EJ Manuel is certainly no Frank Reich, and his days may be numbered in Buffalo. The only other quarterback on the roster is Josh Johnson, a stop-gap at best. Finding a backup QB should be a top priority for GM Doug Whaley in the offseason.
Running Backs
The Bills’ rushing attack underwent a complete makeover in 2015, with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson departing. They were replaced by Pro Bowler LeSean McCoy and rookie fifth round draft pick Karlos Williams, a real diamond in the rough. Then Whaley found another hidden gem, Mike Gillislee, late in the year, and the Bills’ backfield depth looks solid going into 2016. Also on the roster is Boobie Dixon, who didn’t contribute much to the rushing attack and didn’t make his usual positive contribution to the special teams. His place on the 2016 roster looks tenuous. Fullback Jerome Felton was used exclusively as a blocker.
Receivers
The leader of this unit is clearly Sammy Watkins, who emerged as one of the NFL’s top receiving weapons in 2015, and also as one of the Bills’ outspoken leaders in the locker room. Behind him, there’s a slew of players who had injury issues this year. Robert Woods, who played hurt and wound up on injured reserve at the end of the year and Chris Hogan, who dropped some passes but had a nagging hand injury, are the best options. Marcus Easley has always been used mainly on special teams, while Marquise Goodwin has been nothing but fragile his entire time here. There’s little chance that oft-injured Percy Harvin will be back. Some players got chances to play due to the injuries, with former New York Jet Greg Salas making the most impact with some catches in the season finale. Leonard Hankerson is a veteran who could be given a shot in training camp next year, Dez Lewis did little after being promoted from the practice squad and Walter Powell did some kick return work but didn’t show much. The Bills did recently sign a couple of veteran free agents who’ll be given a chance to compete for jobs in 2016 – Greg Little, who had mild success with Cleveland, and Jarrett Boykin, a former Virginia Tech teammate of Tyrod Taylor. At tight end, the Bills have enough depth to stand pat going into training camp. Charles Clay ended the year on IR but is a major contributor. Holdover veterans Chris Gragg and MarQueis Gray will fight for roster spots with Nick O’Leary, a rookie promoted late in the year from the practice squad who showed some promise.
Offensive Line
The Bills revamped two-thirds of their offensive line in 2015, and as the season went on the unit developed into a decent line. The Bills had one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks, and the pass protection for Tyrod Taylor got better the more the line played together. GM Doug Whaley’s biggest priority in the off-season will be getting the left side of that line – guard Richie Incognito and tackle Cordy Glenn – signed to new contracts. Center Eric Wood is a solid starter and rookie John Miller looks like a keeper at right guard. At the right tackle spot, Seantrell Henderson battled an illness and lost valuable playing time to newcomer Jordan Mills, who may have locked down the starting spot there. Cyrus Kouandjio, who has been mostly a disappointment at tackle, got some playing time as an eligible receiver, basically an extra tackle, and made his biggest contribution so far in his career in that role. There isn’t much other depth with this group, with the backup guards being journeyman veterans Kraig Urbik and Ryan Groy.